Navigating and Coping with Stigma in Family Drug Treatment Court

An MPH Thesis By Erin Mathios

Abstract: Literature suggests that many individuals are stigmatized based on their substance use history and through their involvement with child welfare institutions (Nieweglowski et al., 2018; Kenny et al., 2015). Given the negative consequences of being stigmatized (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2013), individuals who use substances and who are also involved with child protective services may be particularly impacted. Through participant narratives, this paper explores experiences of stigma in a Family Treatment Court (FTC) in New York State. The interviews provide insight into court procedures that contribute to experiences of stigma and affect parent compliance with court requirements. Research findings suggest that incorporation of a strengths-based model, through staff trainings and organization-level policies, can strengthen caseworker-participant relationships. Improved communication and trust between FTC personnel and participants, in turn, can help reduce experiences of stigma and lead to improved participant wellbeing. 

Cornell Project 2Gen Graduate Research Assistant Erin Mathios won the Yale School of Public Health Student Research Thesis Presentation Award for her MPH thesis, “Navigating and Coping with Stigma in Family Drug Treatment Court.”